Stackable container

ABSTRACT

A container comprising a storage compartment formed with an arcuate outer surface, and a cover adapted to close the storage compartment, the cover being formed with an arcuate outer surface having a complementary shape nestable with the outer surface of the storage compartment, such that the storage compartment of one container is stackable with the cover of another container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to containers for storing toys and the like therein, and particularly to such containers which are stackable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many kinds of containers exist for storing toys and the like therein. Containers range from wooden toy chests to small plastic boxes for placing small toys and play objects therein. A problem with many toy containers is their volume: the containers themselves take up a lot of space in a child's room or in a vehicle during travel, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide improved containers for storing toys, play objects and the like therein. The containers of the invention are stackable and thus conserve storage space in a room or vehicle. The containers also reducing space during transportation from one point to another and during storage in warehouses.

[0004] There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention a container comprising a storage compartment formed with an arcuate outer surface, and a cover adapted to close the storage compartment, the cover being formed with an arcuate outer surface having a complementary shape nestable with the outer surface of the storage compartment, such that the storage compartment of one container is stackable with the cover of another container.

[0005] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the outer surface of the storage compartment is concave and the outer surface of the cover is convex.

[0006] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the cover comprises one or more support lugs protruding therefrom adapted to abut against a portion of the storage compartment of one container stacked on the cover of another container.

[0007] Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of the support lugs are positioned (e.g., symmetrically) on opposite sides of the cover. The support lugs may be spaced axially from one another on the cover.

[0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the storage compartment and the cover comprise mating fasteners adapted to fasten the storage compartment with the cover. The support lugs may be positioned adjacent the fasteners. The cover may or may not be hinged to the storage compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a stackable container, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

[0011]FIG. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of two containers of FIG. 1 stacked one on top of another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate a container 10, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] Container 10 may be made of any suitable material, such as but not limited to, metal or plastic. Container 10 may comprise a storage compartment 12 formed with an arcuate outer surface 14 (the lower surface in the sense of the drawings). Container 10 may also comprise a cover 16, which may be hinged to storage compartment 12 with a hinged connection 18, for closing and opening storage compartment 12. Alternatively, cover 16 may be separate from storage compartment 12 and snugly fit therewith. Cover 16 may be formed with an arcuate outer surface 20 (the upper surface in the sense of the drawings) having a complementary shape nestable with the outer surface 14 of storage compartment 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface 14 of storage compartment 12 is concave and the outer surface 20 of cover 16 is convex. However, within the scope of the invention, the outer surface 14 of storage compartment 12 may be convex and the outer surface 20 of cover 16 may be concave. As seen in FIG. 2, containers 10 may be stacked together, e.g., one on top of another, wherein the storage compartment 12 of one container 10 nests with the cover 16 of another container 10. Any amount of containers may be stacked adjacent one another. Alternatively, the arcuate nesting surfaces of the containers may comprise side surfaces of the storage compartment 12 and/or cover 16, for side-by-side stacking of the containers.

[0014] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, cover 16 includes one or more support lugs 22 protruding therefrom. As seen in FIG. 2, the support lugs 22 may abut against a portion of the storage compartment 12 of one container 10 stacked on top of the cover 16 of another container 10. The support lugs may bear at least a portion of the weight of the upper container or containers 10. The support lugs 22 may be positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of cover 16. Additionally, the support lugs 22 may be spaced axially from one another on cover 16, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, storage compartment 12 and cover 16 may comprise mating fasteners 24 and 26 for fastening storage compartment 12 with cover 16. The support lugs 22 may be positioned adjacent fasteners 24 and 26. Fasteners 24 and 26 may comprise, without limitation, a hasp and a staple, suitable for locking with a padlock (not shown), for example.

[0016] It will be appreciated by person skilled in the art, that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims that follow: 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising: a storage compartment formed with an arcuate outer surface; and a cover adapted to close said storage compartment, said cover being formed with an arcuate outer surface having a complementary shape nestable with said outer surface of said storage compartment, such that the storage compartment of one said container is stackable with the cover of another said container.
 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said storage compartment is concave and said outer surface of said cover is convex.
 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein said cover comprises at least one support lug protruding therefrom adapted to abut against a portion of the storage compartment of one said container stacked on the cover of another said container.
 4. The container according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of said support lugs positioned on opposite sides of said cover.
 5. The container according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of said support lugs spaced axially from one another on said cover.
 6. The container according to claim 4, wherein said support lugs are positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of said cover.
 7. The container according to claim 1, wherein said storage compartment and said cover comprise mating fasteners adapted to fasten said storage compartment with said cover.
 8. The container according to claim 3, wherein said storage compartment and said cover comprise mating fasteners adapted to fasten said storage compartment to said cover.
 9. The container according to claim 8, wherein said support lugs are positioned adjacent said fasteners.
 10. The container according to claim 1, wherein said cover is hinged to said storage compartment.
 11. The container according to claim 1, wherein said cover is not hinged to said storage compartment. 